Brake Cleaner = Phosgene Article
Heard about this in an MSHA safety class this week, wanted to pass it along. Never use brake cleaner to clean something you are going to weld on!!! Good advice to read warning labels on anything you use, something I usually overlook.

 

This interesting. We used to light this stuff all the time. I can remember the smell to this day.

 

IIRC the NON-chlorinated stuff is better, don't recall if its completely safe though. I do know from now on, our shop is only buying the non-chlorinated stuff to be safe.

 

Holy chit! That is some serious/scary stuff!! Yeah, we've used cleaners to light things/play with. No more.

 

Looks like the key to "phosgene poisoning" is the argon gas used for welding... Still, a hydrochloric cloud, however small, can be gravely serious...

 

Hi-heat and air conditioning freon also creates phosgene gas.

 

Haha years ago I was working on a 3.1 in a grand am? Had a missfire and I was looking for a vacuum leak, sprayed it down with brake clean, could not locate a vacuum leak, grabbed my plug wire pliers and pulled a plug wire off and the rest is history......LOL
ahhhh not one of my smarter things.

 

Thats scary, I have used that stuff to start fires and even welded with it just like he did.

Thank you for posting, rep sent!

 

This is a poster(pun intended)child story that demonstrates why just because you dodged the bullit before doesn't guarantee you will next time. I am constantly shocked by those who pipe up with "never hurt when I did it" and discredit advice or observation that is offered to third parties. Happens here and on the street every day. I'll tell you this, I don't plan to doubt that guy's advice.

 

Funny you should post this now. Earlier this week I was reading about this exact same issue from a safety poster hung on the back of one of our vendors office doors. I remember thinking to myself how many people have done exactly that and never had a clue just how life threatening it could have been.

Pretty scary stuff.

 

Let's see a show of hands. How many have washed parts in gasoline? Now how many know better
As stated "just because it does not require a permit to purchase doesn't mean it can't hurt you".

 

I've learned not to weld in pants with the crotch ripped out!

 

Now bg that right there is fuunny

 

Generally not one to stand up and admit to stupidity but I have washed parts in gasoline for 35 years. I am all ears or eyes as too what is wrong with doing this. Guess I never saw the saftey bulletin on this so please enlighten me.....Thanks in advance..

 

1+ that, I never knew it was wrong.
Why is it?